EU looks to punish Microsoft for browser non-compliance, and make a bit of extra revenue in the process

To date the European Union's antitrust regulatory body, the European Commission (EC), has pummeled operating system maker Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) with €1.6B ($2.1B USD) in fines for allegedly using abusive anticompetitive tactics in the European market. But the EU is far from done.

According toReuters, highly placed sources in the EC say that Microsoft will face more fines before the end of the month. The commission's pending decision follows a so-called "statement of objections" filed last October. One source at the EC comments, "The Commission is planning to fine Microsoft before the Easter break."

The planned action could slip a week or two, though, due to procedural issues.

That little "whoops" and Microsoft's baffling decision to test the EU's resolve, declining to rush a fix may cost Microsoft dearly. Experts say Microsoft could potentially face a billion dollar fine or more.

Microsoft's board is unhappy with CEO Steve Ballmer for failing to address the issue. In an annual proxy statement filed last October it cited that as one reason for cutting the rambunctious chief's bonus (this was not the first time Mr. Ballmer had his bonus cut for mistakes).

The EC's decision to mandate a browser choice screen dates back to 2009 when Microsoft had more of a dominant position in the EU browser market. Today Microsoft is in third place with only about 24 percent of the market, behind Google Inc.'s (GOOG) 35 percent and Mozilla's 29 percent. The browser selection screen appeared to be a key driving factor in Microsoft's slipping market share.

Some argue that Microsoft's trailing position makes the decision to continue browser selection screen enforcement unfair. Others argue that Microsoft's dominant market share with Windows would be too dangerous were it not for continued enforcement.

It's ridiculous that the concept of the EU actually upholding its laws is somehow viewed as bad. Would you prefer if the EU allowed laws to be broken? Microsoft knew in advance that would be fined if they continued to remain non compliant.

Meh, we do it too, take a look at the BP milking that is going on right now over the Deepwater Horizon incident. Yeah, it was a screw up / environmental mess, but at some point the lawyers / individual US States are just milking it.

Lets not forget the fact that Microsoft has caused NO ONE harm. In fact, it created an entire ecosystem that hadn't even existed before so that cry baby EU companies could have an opportunity to even cry foul to begin with.

BP, on the other hand, destroyed an entire ecosystem and many living things.

quote: The EU and Microsoft have already been down this road and MS paid. Now the EU is broke and looking for cash.

Actually they haven't.

The 'payment' from the anti-trust proceedings required several things:1) Cash fine.2) Browser selection process on windows3) Not sure, other stuff,

MS did 1), they failed to honour 2). Therefore they have not 'paid' up as they have not fully complied with the order.

Now they are being fined for not paying up, for breaching condition 2.

This is not even a judgement call like the whole anti-trust process required. It doesn't require objective expert witnesses, economic analysis, not even an investigation/judgement as to whether MS is still a monopoly. It's pretty straightforward:

A) Microsoft were ordered to and agreed to provide the user with the browser selection process.B) Microsoft failed to provide that browser selection process.

Natural oil seeps in the Gulf of Mexico will in 1-5 years release as much oil into the ocean as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. It just won't be all concentrated in one place like the BP spill (which is why the local damage was heavy).

strict laws selectively enforced. where are the fines against Apple and Android. Try to install Google on your ipad. Approx. 500 million people too stupid to download and install any number of free browsers.

EU needs cash? the EU is a GDP of $15.7 trillion do you really think $1 billion would make that much of difference?

Funny as if the fact Apple wins most cases in the US didn't show that the US also favors american companies, maybe that also shows the US can't compete with the rest of the world so they fine non-US companies to no end.